Australian Open 2021: Serena Williams out, Novak Djokovic vaccination debate continues

Seven-time champion Serena Williams has sent shockwaves through the Australian Open, while the guessing game over Novak Djokovic took yet another turn.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand to Marin Cilic

Novak Djokovic has officially entered the Australian Open, but whether he gets the green light to play remains unclear.

The world No.1 was on the official entry list which was released by Tennis Australia on Wednesday as speculation increased about the defending champion seeking a medical exemption to play in January’s grand slam tournament.

There was a shock on the women’s side with seven-time champion Serena Williams’ name missing.

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The 40-year-old American has been battling a hamstring injury and hasn’t played a major tournament since retiring in the first round at Wimbledon in July.

“Following the advice of my medical team, I have decided to withdraw from this year’s Australian Open,” Williams confirmed via a statement. “While this is never an easy decision to make, I am not where I need to be physically to compete.

Serena Williams is out of the 2022 Australian Open.

“Melbourne is one of my favourite cities to visit and I look forward to playing at the AO every year. I will miss seeing the fans but am excied to return and compete at my highest level.”

Tournament officials say the appearance of Djokovic’s name on the entry list isn’t a guarantee that he will be at Melbourne Park.

The Serbian star has refused to reveal his vaccination status and is understood to be seeking an exemption on medical grounds which has caused outrage given the Victorian government has repeatedly stated no unvaccinated players would be welcome at the Open.

#AusOpen entry list pic.twitter.com/C1XisUgRAp

— Marc McGowan 🗣✍️👨🏻‍💻📰 (@ByMarcMcGowan) December 8, 2021

It comes after Tennis Australia said it would have no influence over whether Djokovic is allowed into Australia or to compete at the Australian Open.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the governing body reaffirmed that “all players, participants and staff at the Australian Open have to be vaccinated”.

TA said anyone seeking a medical exemption to compete would be subject to the same process as anyone wanting to enter Australia.

“Any application for a medical exemption must follow strict government guidelines based on ATAGI,” the TA statement read.

Novak Djokovic has been listed on the Australian Open Order of Entry.

TA said it was not seeking loopholes for players to compete.

“Adjudicating on medical exemptions is the domain of independent medical experts,” it said.

“We are not in a position to influence this process, nor should we.”

There were earlier fears a medical exemption loophole could pave the way for Djokovic to play in the Australian Open.

It was understood the world No. 1 had grounds to apply for the exemption and had the backing of Tennis Australia who were keen for the tournament’s biggest drawcard to be in Melbourne where he could create history and win his 21st grand slam title.

But the Victorian government has been adamant that no unvaccinated tennis players will be allowed to play in January’s grand slam tournament.

Novak Djokovic-gate #AusOpenpic.twitter.com/bgIfHvfFlT

— Marc McGowan 🗣✍️👨🏻‍💻📰 (@ByMarcMcGowan) December 8, 2021

There was no warning about Williams’ absence, with the tennis world’s attention all focused on Djokovic in the lead-up.

But neither seven-time winner Williams nor 2019 US Open titlist Bianca Andreescu will be at Melbourne Park, while 2014 Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka and Guido Pella are out on the men’s side.

Australian Sam Stosur will also require a wildcard to compete in the AO main draw for a 20th and almost certainly final time.

Djokovic has consistently dodged questions in recent times about whether he would make the trip to Melbourne, given the Victorian government’s strict Covid-19 vaccine mandate. But a day after ATP Cup organisers revealed he had committed to their teams event, the world No. 1 also looks poised to head to the Australian Open.

GOVERNMENT REINFORCES VAX MANDATE

Deputy Premier James Merlino on Wednesday doubled down on Victoria’s vaccine mandate for the Australian Open amid reports Novak Djokovic could enter the country on a medical exemption.

When asked about the latest development, Mr Merlino said the government’s position on vaccinated players had not changed.

“My view on this is really clear and really simple,” he said.

“Everyone’s looking forward to the Australian Open, and everyone who will attend, spectators, players, officials, staff, everyone is expected to be fully vaccinated

“They’re the rules, medical exemptions are just that, it’s not a loophole for privileged tennis players.

“It is a medical exemption in exceptional circumstances if you have an acute medical condition.

“So my view and I think the view of all Victorians (and) the expectation of all Victorians is that everyone who attends the Open player, spectator, staff, officials, everyone is fully vaccinated.”

Mr Merlino said a national body made the decision on medical exemptions.

“It is ultimately a Commonwealth decision,” he said.

“But they are just that, medical exemptions for an acute medical condition, it’s not a loophole for a privileged tennis player.

“Everyone is expected to be fully vaccinated, whether they’re sitting in the stands watching the Australian Open or the players on the court.

“My expectation, the Premier’s expectation and the people of Victoria will expect everyone to be fully vaccinated.”

When asked if conversations about Djokovic were happening, Mr Merlino said he had not received any indication of what talks were underway.

We shouldn’t just focus on one player,” he said.

“I’m sure this is on the minds of other players and officials.

“I’m not aware of discussions going on on this specific issue. There were reports today, I’m responding to those reports.”

Novak Djokovic is set to play the ATP Cup in Sydney.

Djokovic was on Tuesday named in the Serbian team for the ATP Cup in Sydney in January, after speculation about whether he would travel to Australia because of vaccination rules.

The 20-time grand slam champion had cast doubt on whether he would defend his Australian Open title in January, refusing to reveal whether he was inoculated against coronavirus.

But he was listed as part of the five-man Serbian team when the draw was made in Sydney for an event that will precede the opening grand slam of the year.

If unvaccinated, Djokovic would have to arrive in Sydney by December 16th in order to complete the mandatory 14-day quarantine for unjabbed travellers before the competition starts on January 1.

It remains unconfirmed if Djokovic will contest the Melbourne grand slam with any athlete entering Victoria needing proof of vaccination but the commitment to the ATP Cup is the strongest hint yet that he will be looking to win a 10th Australian Open title.

Confirmation of Djokovic’s intent to play in Australia comes days after his father slammed Victoria’s vaccination mandate likening it to blackmail.

ATP Cup - list of committed players pic.twitter.com/eGxP0VNiGx

— Michal Samulski (@MichalSamulski) December 7, 2021

“Of course he would want to go with all his heart,” Djokovic’s father Srdjan told Serbian channel Prda TV.

“Because he is a sportsman and there are a lot of our people, the (Serbian) diaspora, there who would be delighted to see Novak.

“But I really don’t know if that will happen. Probably not under these conditions, with this blackmail and when it’s done that way.”

Srdjan Djokovic also defended his son’s “exclusive and personal right” to be vaccinated or not, and claimed that even he did not know if Novak had received the jab.

Djokovic’s presence ensures 2020 champion Serbia is the No. 1 seed for the annual event, which is being held from January 1-9 and offers more than $14m prizemoney across the 16 countries.

Eighteen of the world’s top-20 men’s players are set to contest the third instalment of the ATP Cup.

The competing ATP Cup nations are split into four groups, with Australia facing a nightmare task to reach the semi-finals after being drawn against defending champion Russia, Italy and Austria.

Only the winner from each of the groups will progress and Australia’s round-robin path shapes as the toughest.

Alex De Minaur and Australia face a tough draw. Picture: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Australia’s top-ranked player Alex de Minaur will need to negotiate top-10 opposition in each of his singles matches against Daniil Medvedev, Matteo Berretini and Dominic Thiem in group B.

James Duckworth, who broke into the top 50 for the first time this year, will be the host nation’s No. 2 singles player, while John Peers, Luke Saville and Max Purcell are the doubles options.

Every country can field a squad of up to five players, with the two singles matches being played first before a doubles rubber to round out each tie.

The Russians have enviable depth, including top-five stars Medvedev and Andrey Rublev as well as Australian Open semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev.

Italy, with the likes of Berrettini, Jannik Sinner and Fabio Fognini, promise to be Russia’s greatest threat, while 2020 Australian Open runner-up Thiem will spearhead Austria.

Norway, Chile and Spain join Serbia in group A; Germany, Canada, Great Britain and the United States will battle it out in group C; and Greece, Poland, Argentina and Georgia are in group D.

Alex Zverev (Germany), Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece) and Rafael Nadal (Spain) are among the other big names committed to play.

ATP Cup tournament director Tom Larner said he was looking forward to the next edition of the event, which offers more than$14m in prizemoney.

“The playing group enjoy representing their countries and to see 18 of the world’s top-20 players commit to the event is testamentto that,” Larner said.

“The event shows off the passion the playing group have for this format and we look forward to welcoming all 16 teams to Sydneylater this month.”

Tennis Australia plans for the ATP Cup to again have 24 countries competing from the 2023 event.

Australia failed to advance from its group at the Davis Cup Finals in Italy in November, so Lleyton Hewitt’s squad will be keen to make a better impression at this team event.